BIG ideas.
Your Power by Marcus Aurelius
"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment." ~ Marcus Aurelius from Meditations
The golden rule. Well, one of them, anyway. :)
NOTHING outside of ourselves has power over us. We ALWAYS (yes, always!) have the power to choose our response. So, we need to quit being victims, blaming a circumstance or a person for our ills. They're not the problem. We are. Let's choose to create a new response.
More from Aurelius on the subject:
"Take me and cast me where you will; I shall still be possessor of the divinity within me, serene and content."
"How ridiculous not to flee from one's own wickedness, which is possible, yet endeavor to flee from another's which is not."
"...Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." ~ Viktor Frankl from Man's Search for Meaning
More from Marcus Aurelius…
Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson loves wisdom. That makes him a Philosopher. He also loves inspiring and empowering peeps to rock their greatest lives. That’s why he created PhilosophersNotes.
Connect with Brian
Why PhilosophersNotes?
Think mini CliffsNotes™ for personal growth books – giving you more wisdom in less time. Learn more.
100 Great Personal Growth Books
From old school classics to the science of happiness, PhilosophersNotes tap into the wisdom that matters. Check out the full list of books
Hugs And Praise
We don’t just get testimonials. We’re blessed to get hugs of gratitude, happy dances and love from raving fans around the world. See what people are saying
PhilosophersNotes TV
Brian shares his favorite Big Ideas in 10 minute episodes on PN TV. Watch now
We give away a scholarship for every subscription we sell. Are you in need? Hook yourself up with a scholarship! Learn more
Grab three free Notes below.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Ask and It Is Given The Four Agreements